Tommy Hilfiger

<B> ALI G </B> will just have to find a new designer. <B> Tommy Hilfiger </B> left the luminous colours, bad-boy baggy pants and enormous logos far, far behind him in New York yesterday. Showing for the first time in two years (having taken time out to rethink his £1.3 billion company's marketing strategy), Hilfiger presented a collection that promises to fly off the shelves next spring - but not to fly boys. Inspired by the sun, sand, sex and seascape of Mustique, where Hilfiger owns a villa, these were highly desirable, luxurious, everyday clothes that will surely help to overhaul the designer's image. There was a strong military theme, in mid-calf-length cargo pants, shorts and skirts, but it was softened by white lace camisoles, sexy khaki cotton corsets and billowing white muslin tiered skirts and dresses that had broderie anglais panels. Cropped jackets in denim and brown leather were buttoned over shiny trousers of oyster or navy blue satin and tailored blazers in dark pinstripe or pale gold silk were teamed with tiny belted white shorts and collarless muslin shirts. <B>Naomi Campbell</B> (in town to launch her own PR company, NCConnect, this week) made an appearance in navy satin hot pants with a matching cropped jacket, symbolising, perhaps, the woman that Hilfiger has now made it his business to dress. (September 18 2002, AM)